Norther Bay dominated what looked on paper to be a very competitive 20-runner two mile handicap hurdle at Gowran Park that the bookmakers were betting 9/2 the field in.

Eoin Griffin’s nine-year-old popped out into the lead from flagfall and Eddie O’Connell kept him up to his work after the last to readily outpoint Rodriguez by two and a quarter lengths.

He bounded along on the better ground and his supporters at 10/1 had few butterflies in their stomachs as he burned off Zerashan turning for home and had plenty in the tank to beat the staying on Rodriguez (9/2jf).

The White Hares Syndicate who own Norther Bay are a bunch of lads from Northern Ireland who include European Tour golfer Gareth Maybin. They are leasing the horse for the year.

“We’ve been waiting all year for that ground. He’s just a different horse on that ground. He’s a confirmed front-runner and he likes to bowl along and get his own way,” trainer Eoin Griffin said.

“Compared to his chase rating he looked well-treated. We’ll probably stick to hurdles for the time being.” Ridayef took third, beaten ten and three quarter lengths at 14/1 while Zerashan, the other 9/2 joint favourite was fourth for each way players.

The start of this race was delayed five minutes after a false start and Tim Carroll, rider of Fearnwood Girl was hit with a four day suspension for disobeying the starters instructions (Rule 208).

(on course reporting by Alan Magee)